Political parties clash with IEBC, Registrar of Political Parties

Kenya: Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Registrar of Political Parties and political parties are headed for a major clash next week over establishment of Political Parties Liaison Committee officials.

Trouble started when Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u wrote a letter on June 30 informing political parties of a decision to postpone elections of PPLC office bearers from July 18, as earlier agreed, to August 28, at a venue to be communicated later.

This decision, said the Registrar in her letter, a copy of which The Standard on Sunday obtained, was due to lack of finances for facilitating the process. The letter has attracted the wrath of officials of political parties, who now accuse IEBC of deliberately trying to sabotage the process.

In a July 2 petition addressed to the Registrar, the political parties have vowed to defy the decision and insisted they will proceed with elections on July 18 as had been scheduled.

“In view of the foregoing, be appraised as follows, the caretaker Committee and its Secretary in particular is henceforth mandated and directed to take over control, mobilise resources and organise venue, mode and time of elections and to communicate the same to members.

“The said Secretary is to advise the members of PPLC about plans related to the same and to oversee the elections or appoint persons to oversee the elections.

“Your attendance or lack therefore notwithstanding, the elections shall proceed on 18th July 2014 and relevant government bodies shall be advised accordingly,” reads part of the petition to Ms Ndung’u.

Allocated a date

In her letter, she had explained to the PPLC members the predicament her office finds itself in due to lack of resources to facilitate the proces.

Speaking to The Standard on Sunday, Ms Ndung’u said PPLC members have already been allocated a date to hold the meeting and her office would ensure the process runs smoothly.

“As you are aware, the 2013/2014 financial year is coming to an end on 30th June 2014,” her letter reads in part.

“The office of the Registrar is not in a position to procure a venue for the proposed PPLC meeting which was planned for July 18.

“In view of the above, the meeting will be held in August 2014 when the funds for the next financial year will be accessible.”

But in a petition, at least 40 political parties have vowed to disobey the contents of the Registrar’s letter.

“We the undersigned are most disturbed that in utter flagrance of the law and the Constitution of the Republic, you have purported to arrogate yourself powers which neither you nor your office is conferred with, in respect of the above matter.

“As you are no doubt aware, the Political Parties Liaison Committee is a creature of the Statute just as much as your office.

“Under no provisions of any law are you appointed the patron, supervisor or controller of the political parties or the said committee and the PPLC, at its plenary of December 2013, established PPLC caretaker committee to oversee its matters until the elections of the office bearers.”

Confusion

But Ambassador Yusuf Nzibo, a commissioner of IEBC, and who is also the chair of PPLC dismissed the allegations saying the July 18 date had been decided upon unilaterally by political parties.

He added that PPLC regulations had not even been approved by Parliament and that elections would not proceed without the regulations in place.

“In the last one month, there has been a bit of confusion and new political parties are acting as if PPLC is a club of parties,” Ambassador Nzibo said.

“We had a meeting with the steering committee and we agreed to stick with the August 28 date.

“In the meantime, we will ensure that parties that had not signed the declaration on formation of PPLC do so and get Parliament to consider approving the regulations as we cannot hold elections without the regulations being gazetted.”

This happened even as it emerged that IEBC chairman Isaak Hassan is scheduled to meet with representatives of all registered political parties tomorrow.

Shocked

But PPLC members led by TIP leader Kalembe Ndile accused IEBC of working to manipulate the process and ensure certain candidates become PPLC office bearers.

“We are shocked by IEBC behaviour and efforts to manipulate this process,” Mr Ndile said in a telephone interview.

“They are trying to impose a candidate whom we have all rejected. We shall proceed with elections as scheduled.”

Mr Ndile, who is a former legislator, said Political Parties Act was a recommendation in the Kriegler Commission Report.

Article 38 of the Political Parties Act 2011 stipulates that “Political Parties Liaison Committee shall be established at the national and county levels. The principal function of the PPLC is to provide a platform for dialogue between the Registrar, Commission and political parties. The PPLC shall perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Registrar.”